"Scary as sh*t" - the first It movie reactions are in and it's good news for King fans

The most terrifying part of heading into a Stephen King adaptation isn't thinking about the scares ahead, but worrying about the ways the horror maestro's work has been butchered for the silver screen. Cell or Shawshank? The Shining or Dreamcatcher? *shudder*. Well, thankfully the It movie falls firmly into 'hacking down doors with an axe' category.

Yep, early It movie reactions are in and it sounds like director Andy Muschietti has hit the horrifying sewer water-splashed nail on the head, truly taking the spirit of the books instead of just obsessing over the idea of an evil clown. Our sister publication SFX magazine already has its It review, awarding it four out of five stars and calling it "one of the more satisfyingly nerve-wracking films of the year." There's an excerpt below but you can read the whole review in the latest issue - on sale now.

This story lives and dies on two crucial elements: the kids and the clown. While Curry’s take from the TV version may forever be ingrained in our collective consciousness, Bill Skarsgård and the movie’s practical and digital effects team do enough to give this version his (its?) own sense of menace and intensity. Lurking in sewer grates to lure unwitting victims, staging elaborate hauntings targeting our heroes’ buried fears and stalking his subterranean lair, Skarsgård doesn’t just let the make-up do the work, instead bringing his own twinkle amid the chills.

And Muschietti gleefully ramps up the scare level as the film progresses, leavening the more obvious jump scares with a real sense of atmosphere. Sticking to his belief that real-world devices and tricks can be blended with CG, the director subjects his main cast to some devilishly horrifying moments, able to go to places that the TV movie couldn’t touch while making sure that it’s all drawn from character.

If that's not enough to convince you, here's what the rest of the world thinks so far. Oh, and if you don't like Pennywise gifs, maybe look away now...

It's not just the scares that matter

Beyond killer clowns, IT also delves into the grief & anger kids feel when they realize those who should love & protect them do the oppositeAugust 26, 2017

Felt a Poltergeist meets the Monster Squad vibe - a great example of a film where its R rating elevates it in all the best waysAugust 26, 2017

IT made me cry (and not out of terror). It's funny, moving, and of course scary. The kids were EXCELLENT, esp Sophia Lillis. I loved IT. pic.twitter.com/LHb3Zi5zysAugust 26, 2017

#ItMovie was spooktacular. Great cast, surprisingly funny, and genuinely unnerving scares. You'll still be freaked out when you get home. 🎈 pic.twitter.com/n5EQpbk53NAugust 26, 2017

The Losers are the stars and Skarsgard is a true horror

#ITMovie is everything I hoped for & more. Has heart, laughs & TONS of incredible scares. Fell in love w/ The Losers. Didn't want it to end.August 26, 2017

Thrilled I can now say that IT is spectacular. Totally terrifying, but also amazing fun (the Losers are PERFECT). Top 10 candidate for me. pic.twitter.com/XjQHyNmSEqAugust 26, 2017

I love the #ITMovie. It's everything I wanted. Scary as shit, Skarsgard nails Pennywise, and the Losers are perfection.August 26, 2017

And yes, you'll still be afraid when you get out

#ItMovie was spooktacular. Great cast, surprisingly funny, and genuinely unnerving scares. You'll still be freaked out when you get home. 🎈 pic.twitter.com/n5EQpbk53NAugust 26, 2017

Saw #ITMovie I loved it. Then took trash out in my empty, dark, stairwell...SHIT FREAKED ME OUT CAUSE THAT MOVIE SCARED ME LIKE FOR REALAugust 26, 2017

You too can be this scared when the movie opens in cinemas on September 8.